t21karyo.jpg
Karyotype of a person with down syndrome

Description of Down Syndrome.


Down syndrome is a genetic disorder, associated with the presence of an extra chromosome 21, characterized by mild to severe mental retardation, weak muscle tone, a low nasal bridge, and epicanthic folds at the eyelids. Down syndrome came from a guy named John Langdon Down, who gave it the name officially in 1866.



Incidents of Down Syndrome.

1 in every 800 to 1,000 births. The rate will increase of the number of down syndrome babies with the mothers age. About 3400 babies a year get diagnosed with down syndrome in the U.S. The average life span of a child with down syndrome in 1929, was 9 years old. Now it is up to 50 years and beyond.


Symptoms of Down Syndrome.

  • A flat facial profile
  • An upward slant to the eye
  • A short neck
  • Abnormally shaped ears
  • White spots on the iris of the eye (called Brushfield spots)
  • A single, deep transverse crease on the palm of the hand
  • Smaller than average size
  • Exaggerated space between the first and second toe
    JLHdown.jpg
    Doctor Down came up with the discovery of down syndrome.
  • Poor muscle tone (called hypotonia)
  • Joint looseness
  • Broad feet with short toes
  • Learning disabilities.


Health conditions often seen with Down Syndrome


  • Hearing problems
  • Celiac Disease
  • Skeletal Problems
  • Thyroid Problems
  • Eye Problems (cataracts)
  • Dementia
  • Congenital Heart Disease
  • Intestinal Problems



Cause of Down Syndrome.

Down syndrome is caused by abnormal cell division in early fetal development


Treatments for Down Syndrome.

  • They go to regular check-ups to the doctors.
  • They sometimes have heart defects and can receive heart surgery on it.
  • Medication is also there for helping.


Things teachers should know to teach down syndrome children.



1. Please think carefully before hugging my child. Not every adult she meets will be safe and friendly, and she needs to learn boundaries and age-appropriate ways to interact.

2. It's okay to let my child's classmates know about Down syndrome as long as it is done in a positive way; I'd be happy to help prepare a program.


3. Teaching strategies that have proven successful for children with Down syndrome will help my child learn better and make him easier for you to deal with.



4. My child is an individual, not a diagnosis -- please be alert and receptive to the things that make her unique and special.



5. Please keep the lines of communication open between our home and the school. My child needs all the adults in her life working together.

Post Educational Career.

The Americans with Disabilities Act makes it illegal for an employer of more than 15 individuals to discriminate against qualified individuals.
jvn1995.jpg
A young child with down syndrome.



Work Cited.
http://www.down-syndrome.emedtv.com/
http://specialchildren.about.com/od/downsyndrome/a/DSschool.htm
http://down-syndrome.emedtv.com/down-syndrome/adults-with-down-syndrome.html

Question!?

  1. What is the cause of down syndrome?
  2. What act makes it illegal to discriminate down syndrome people?
  3. What is one treatment for down syndrome?